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PURPOSE FOR LICENSURE:
The purpose for licensing is to recognize what God has already done.
DEFINITION OF A LICENSE, ORDAINED OR COMMISSIONED MINISTER:
Ministers are individuals who are duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed by a religious body constituting a
church or church denomination. They are given the authority to conduct religious worship, perform sacerdotal
functions, and administer ordinances or sacraments according to the prescribed tenets and practices of the
church or denomination. If a church or denomination ordains some ministers and licenses or commissions
others, anyone licensed or commissioned must be able to perform substantially all religious functions of an
ordained minister to be treated as a minister for social security purposes.
There are Three (3) functions that the IRS looks for in defining a minister with respect to social security taxes.
Although without doing the following three things a person may still be recognized as a minister by other
government agencies, the IRS does not recognize anyone as a minister unless he/she performs the following
three functions. Therefore, if one wants to be recognized by all government agencies (which includes the IRS)
the he/she must regularly fulfill the functions as stated below.
1. Conduct religious worship.
2. Perform sacerdotal functions
3. Administer ordinances or sacraments according to the prescribed tenets and practices of that
church or denomination.
Under this definition all pastors and associates pastors are ministers. Most youth pastors and worship leaders
(deacons) will also qualify.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF LICENSES:
There are three (3) traditional forms of licensing issued by churches. The church use them to represent before
the congregation and community the authority bestowed upon a person to act or function in its name. Even
though the church distinguished between them many government agencies will not, with the exception of the
Christian Worker License They are listed below:
1. Christian Orthodox Worker (Lay Minister)
2. Licensed Minister (Deacons, Youth Ministers)
3. Ordained Ministers (Priest)
Each one of these licenses usually represents a different level of preparation and authority. Examples will be
listed below:
1. Christian Orthodox Workers (Lay Ministers) license may be issued to a member of the church who
has a proven record of commitment, who reflects such in his/her life and has volunteered to help with work of
the ministry. The work may be that of making hospital visits, praying for the sick and invalids, or working in the
church. The license may be beneficial in giving the person some credibility with hospital staff and police
departments, etc. This type of license does not give the worker the privilege to perform sacerdotal functions.
He/she also would not qualify for any special tax rules.
2. Licensed Ministers (Deacons. Youth Ministers) license may be given to a person that has become a
part of the pastoral staff. Many churches license the staff ministers of their churches to give them the authority
to marry, conduct funerals and to the lead worship services and much more. He/she may qualify for special
tax rules, depending on the type of authority the church grants the individual by licensing him/her. This level of
licensure should require some course or study of an x number of years of ministry experience.
3. The Ordained Ministers (Priests) license is usually granted to a person who is either the pastor or
associate pastor of a church. The reason behind this type of license is to signify that he/she is in charge of the
congregation (usually a senior pastor or an associate pastor). This level of licensure should require some
course of study and x number of years of ministry experience.
Remember the License that the church issues are only as credible as your church or ministry is credible to the
public.
It is always important for the church body to reflect the character of Jesus everywhere they may go.
MISSION STATEMENT
To equip ministers for a lifetime of effective ministry so they may respond to the Great Commission of Christ to
“go and make disciples of all nations,” and advance God’s kingdom by the preservation and propagation of
Christian holiness as set forth in the scriptures. By the licensure we as a church are committed to send out
men and women of God to hold and build the Historic Faith and Order that is set forth in the Holy Scriptures,
The Seven Ecumenical Councils and The Apostolic Disciplinary Canon Laws of the Holy Byzantine Catholic
Orthodox Church.
MOTTO
To serve, not to be served.
VISION
The vision of the Holy Byzantine Catholic Orthodox Church is to offer a faithful and abiding witness to the
risen life of Christ, as that is made known to us in Holy Scripture the Seven Ecumenical Councils and the
Apostolic Disciplinary Canon Laws.
1. PRAYER and WORSHIP: Prayer and worship are the heart and soul of our life in the Holy Byzantine
Catholic Orthodox Church, the most direct way in which we honor the first commandment. The centrality of
our common life is the Eucharist. We encourage the development of a strong prayer life and the active
participation of our ministers in worship - in styles, forms and language that are both traditional and new.
2. GOVERNANCE: The governance of our church is structured through canonical provisions for lay and
clergy participation in all governing bodies, staffs, committees, and ministries. We encourage open and active
participation in all our governing bodies and ministry groups.
3. COMMUNICATION: Good communication is essential to the vitality of our communion with God and
with one another. Striving as ministers to be open, honest, and direct with each other, we encourage new
opportunities for gathering, as well as improved avenues of communication, recognizing that this will require
greater initiative and responsiveness among all of church.
4. PASTORAL CARE: License Ministers are committed to providing pastoral guidance and care for all our
people. They do this intentionally and directly through prayer and active care in situations of illness, injury,
conflict, addiction, and other needs.
5. EDUCATIONAL AND SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT: We seek to offer programs for educational and
spiritual development for our Ministers in order to support our congregations and by doing so they may also
grow "in the knowledge and love of God".
6. STEWARDSHIP: Our licensed ministers live in a rich and beautiful environment with an abundance of
human and financial resources. We seek that they are faithful stewards of the earth, and of these resources,
and to share them equitably and generously by assisting in the economical maintenance of the church as well
as the needs of the children of God.
7. FACILITIES: The ministry of our Licensed Ministers happen in many church facilities and other physical
structures throughout the world. By our own continuing care of these places we continue to work towards
providing safe, accessible, attractive, and visible facilities in which to enjoy fellowship and enrich our life
together.
8. EVANGELISM: As Licensed Ministers we are called to proclaim the good news of the Gospel. Trusting
in God's love in Christ for all people, we seek to grow in faith and in numbers by inviting others into our
community.
9. JUSTICE: Matters of justice are integral to the very fabric of God's intention in creating the world and
all its people. Justice is not an optional extra in our faith, nor can God's peace exist without it. Our church has
a long tradition of prophetic advocacy for justice; that is, of being a voice for the poor, the outcast, the
oppressed and for all others who suffer marginalization. We as Licensed Ministers commit ourselves to such
advocacy in a culture of growing consumerism, inequitable distribution of wealth, abuse of the environment,
and consolidation of power.
10. HOSPITALITY: As License Ministers of the Holy Byzantine Catholic Orthodox Church we are
committed in an open community of faith, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, disability or cultural
background, we seek to welcome everyone and to offer opportunities for leadership in our communities.
11. SERVICE: As Licensed Ministers, local churches, and ministry groups, we seek many ways to fulfill
the serving of Christ in all people with creativity, perseverance and a spirit of adventure.
12. ECUMENISM: Our traditions has long enabled us to promote ecumenical work among various
Christian faith communities. As we grow in our understanding of these other traditions, we are also able to
embrace the larger work of interfaith dialogue and sharing. As Licensed Ministers we embrace in love the
challenges and the opportunities of ecumenical and interfaith work, trusting that our own faith will be
deepened in the process.
REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE
1. Pre-Application Requirements:
a. For Christian Orthodox Workers must be a Church Member for at least one (1) years.
b. For Licensed Ministers must be a Church Member for at least two (2) years.
c. For Ordained Ministers must be a Church Member for at least three (3) years.
This requirement can be changed by the Holy Synod.
d. Must be of outstanding reputation within the church they are serving.
e. Must have the Pastors approval before applying.
f. Must have a good credit report, as it will be checked.
g. Must be willing to tithe to the church.
2. Course Requirements:
a. (Please see seminary curriculum)
CHRISTIAN ORTHODOX WORKER (LAY MINISTERS)
This recognition is issued to those called by God as helpers, or to those that are just beginning their ministry.
They are not authorized to perform any sacerdotal services, but primarily assist other in the Body of Christ.
The individuals in this category may include, but are not limited to: teachers, readers, cantors, instructors,
hospital and jail visitation ministry, ministerial assistance, and lay persons who are called of God as helpers.
The Lay Minister must:
1. Meet the general requirements for licensing (Please see seminary curriculum course requirements).
2. Be established in a local church body.
3. Be recommended by the pastor or associate pastor.
4. Be recommended by his/her peers in the ministry.
5. Meet all other criteria as determined by the Licensing Committee.
LICENSED MINISTER (DEACONS, YOUTH MINISTERS)
This ministerial recognition includes those who are somewhat seasoned in the ministry, but need further
experience to be fully established. Such persons are authorized to perform all certain prescribed sacerdotal
services. They are not in charge of a congregation and have limited authority to run certain affairs of the
church.
The Deacon or Youth Minister must:
1. Meet the general requirements for licensing (Please see seminary curriculum course requirements).
2. Be for license by the pastor, another pastor of an established congregation, or the senior pastor of an
established ministry.
3. Demonstrate a level of biblical and theological proficiency.
4. Meet all other criteria as determined by the Licensing Committee.
ORDAINED MINISTER (PRIESTS)
This ministerial recognition is given to those persons who have an “established” or “proven” ministry. Ordained
Ministers (Priests) are authorized to perform all functions of the sacerdotal services, and must be capable of
doing so. He must either be ready, as determined by the bishop, to take care of a congregation or already in
charge of one.
The Priest must:
1. Meet the general requirements for licensing (Please see seminary curriculum course requirements).
2. Have an established ministry.
3. Demonstrate biblical and theological proficiency.
4. Be capable of performing all sacerdotal services.
5. Meet all other criteria as determined by the Licensing Committee.
@2013 by The Holy Byzantine Catholic Orthodox Church.
All right reserved
LICENSURE
| THE HOLY BYZANTINE CATHOLIC ORTHODOX CHURCH Le Saint Église Bizantine Catholique Orthodoxe La Santa Iglesia Bizantina Catolica Ortodoxa |